SATURDAY, MARCH 1, 2PM
“Hog Hacker: “AI’s Role in Predicting and Preventing Microbial Infections.”
Presented by Kyle Leistikow, PhD., Research Manager, Core Innovation – Microbial Discovery Group
The growing integration of machine learning (ML) and artificial intelligence (AI) in medicine has revolutionized the ability to predict, diagnose, and prevent infectious diseases and design new antimicrobial compounds. By analyzing complex datasets, including genomic, environmental, and clinical data, these technologies have enabled early detection of outbreaks, identified at-risk populations, and optimized treatment strategies. While these advancements have primarily been applied to human health, there is immense potential to harness ML and AI for improving livestock health management, particularly in swine production, where bacterial infections such as E. coli and co-infections with other enteric pathogens remain a significant challenge. In this talk, we introduce a novel ML algorithm designed to enhance disease prediction and prevention in swine herds.
Our model integrates qPCR-based virulence gene data obtained from >7000 animals with real-time environmental data to predict the risk of bacterial co-infections and enteric disease outbreaks. Preliminary validation suggests the algorithm provides enhanced accuracy compared to traditional risk assessment tools, offering swine veterinarians potential insights for early intervention. The future utility of AI in swine health management is vast, extending beyond predictive analytics to include precision treatment, automated monitoring, and tailored disease control programs. By enabling veterinarians to transition from reactive to proactive strategies, these tools are likely to improve herd health, reduce economic losses, and support the sustainable growth of the swine industry. Together, ML and AI represent an exciting frontier in veterinary medicine, empowering swine veterinarians with cutting-edge resources to help modernize herd management and improve animal welfare.
SUNDAY, MARCH 2, 2PM
“ProVent ECL: A Comprehensive Probiotic to Support Swine Challenged with Multidrug-Resistant E. coli.”
Presented by Kyle Leistikow, PhD., Research Manager, Core Innovation – Microbial Discovery Group
The rise of multidrug-resistant (MDR) pathogenic Escherichia coli on swine farms poses a significant threat to animal health and global food security. As antibiotics lose effectiveness and the development of new drugs lags behind E. coli’s evolving resistance, there is an urgent need for alternative solutions that can help to reduce the economic burden caused by this pathogen. One promising approach is the use of probiotics with diverse anti-virulence properties, which extend beyond the traditional focus on antimicrobial production. Certain probiotic strains can inhibit establishment or proliferation of MDR E. coli through mechanisms such as biofilm disruption, quorum sensing interference, immune modulation, and niche partitioning.
In this study, ProVent ECL, a probiotic formulation derived from the gastrointestinal tract of high-performing swine, was assessed for its ability to reduce different E. coli virulence strategies. Strains in ProVent ECL successfully inhibited the growth of MDR E. coli isolates obtained from veterinary diagnostic labs across the United States. Additionally, these probiotics inhibited biofilm formation, interfered with quorum sensing pathways required for E. coli virulence, and improved host immune responses in the presence of a bacterial challenge. These findings suggest probiotics could be valuable tools as part of a comprehensive disease mitigation program, offering a sustainable alternative to potentially reduce the severity of these bacterial infections. By leveraging their diverse mechanisms of action, probiotics can help manage bacterial resistance, improve antibiotic stewardship, and promote animal welfare in swine production.
SUNDAY, MARCH 2, 2:15PM
“A Bacillus-Based Product, ProVent ECL, Improved Piglet Recovery After a Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome (PRRS) Wild-Type Break.”
Presented by Chris L. Puls, Ph.D., Manager – Swine Innovation & Product Development, United Animal Health
A 1,000 head research sow farm experienced a PRRS 1-7-4 L1A wild type break in December 2023. A Bacillus-based product, ProVent ECL, was evaluated in a side-by-side research trial to evaluate its impact as part of a herd recovery program. Nursery feed conversion rate and mortality were significantly improved (P < 0.05) relative to controls when sows and piglets were fed ProVent® ECL in lactation and nursery diets. ProVent ECL improved piglet recovery following a PRRS break.
SUNDAY, MARCH 2, 12:00 – 5 PM (authors present with posters 12:00 – 1 PM)
Poster #68: “A Milk-Based Bioactive (FxP) Mitigates a Severe and Natural Enteric Disease Challenge.”
Presented by Joel D. Spencer, Ph.D., VP of Global Swine Innovation, United Animal Health
Piglets were allotted equally to two experimental treatments with four pigs/pen and eight replicate pens per treatment. Pigs were weaned into a single room at a contract research site and fed one of two experimental diets after weaning: 1) control diet and 2) control diet + 0.50% FxP. A planned oral Escherichia coli challenge was cancelled due to a mortality event that started across experimental replicates on day 10 post weaning. The natural challenge was found to be Rotavirus A, with subsequent diagnostics showing additional infections with F18 enterotoxigenic E. coli (ETEC) and Streptococcus suis across all replicates. Pigs fed FxP displayed reduced mortality rates (53% vs 37%), coliform counts and surviving pig weight variation. Serum haptoglobin (P < 0.05), piglet day 23 body weight (P < 0.05), and ileal histological measurements were also improved with the feeding of FxP. When equally allotted to treatment in a controlled research setting, pigs fed FxP had improved performance and survivability during a severe multi-pathogen natural enteric challenge.